Panic erupted on Saturday at the rally ground of NEW Associates, a pro-Wike political group, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, after gunmen suspected to be political thugs opened fire on the crowd, causing widespread chaos.
The shooting occurred at the Church of God Mission Camp in Igbogene, where the rally was taking place. Although no fatalities were reported, several individuals sustained gunshot wounds during the attack.
The rally, organised to show support for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and to appreciate President Bola Tinubu for appointing Bayelsa indigenes to federal positions, was initially scheduled for April 12 but rescheduled to April 26 following a clash of dates with a rally by supporters of Governor Douye Diri.
According to eyewitnesses, participants had gathered at the venue as early as 8 a.m. when the gunmen, hiding in nearby bushes, started shooting sporadically.
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In response, security personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Department of State Services (DSS) engaged the attackers and swept the surrounding area to prevent further violence.
In the aftermath, Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe, Secretary of NEW Associates and former spokesman of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), accused the state government of attempting to disrupt a lawful and peaceful assembly. He vowed that the group would not be intimidated and would continue with the rally.
“We gathered peacefully to show solidarity with the President and our leaders. It is unfortunate that anyone would feel threatened by a simple act of political association,” Ekerefe said.
Former Bayelsa State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Pabara Igwele, also condemned the attack, describing the rally as entirely peaceful and alleging political motives behind the violence. He insisted the rally would proceed despite the attempt to disrupt it.
Following the incident, supporters of NEW Associates regrouped and continued with the rally, demonstrating resilience in the face of the attack.
